Honestly it might be worth a trip to your local dealership (if you have to drive to a store anyway), and just ask to speak to one of the techs. Most techs will have a collection of spare clips from accessories installs.

Like if they install splash guards, they will remove a bunch of clips to install screws. Some people may throw the clips out but any tech with sense would keep the clips they remove if they are still good.

If you can't get any spare clips for free then ask at the parts counter, they really aren't expensive.

 

not a bad idea but the dealership is 30 minutes away so I’d rather just order some.

 

Read here - Fender clip?

 

Read here - Fender clip?

Example: replacement for 909140062
The size is 7 mm and other styles of fasteners might fit.

Thanks. This info helped and I found some online.

 

Example: replacement for 909140062
The size is 7 mm and other styles of fasteners might fit.

 

Retaining pin clip/fasteners failures.
This thread makes me curious about other owners' experiences with construction technique and quality issues on recent models (in my case, 2022 Outback XT Touring), especially as concerns the use of these kinds of plastic clips in the build. In less than one year on my 2022 (and under 6,000 miles), I have had to return to the dealership 4 times to have these types of clips replaced and reinstalled, especially the ones used to retain the underbody shield/cover. By the time I had gotten the car back to the dealer on the first occasion with a fist full of the remnants of these pens/clips that I had found on my garage floor (which alerted me initially to the problem), the underbody cover was dangling about three inches waiting to be ripped off in the road wind. After inspection dealer found that numerous of the clips were missing, others of the wrong size were installed by the factory elsewhere waiting to fall out. I was assured all were replaced with ones of the correct size throughout. Several trips more for the exact same problem convince me nonsense. Most recently, identical problem needed to be fixed again PLUS I asked them to check the B pillar which from day one has been making an annoying buzzing sound right at ear level at speeds over 10 mph. Was advised that they had identified that clips that hold the B pillar interior piece to the frame at the headliner area was missing and most probably not installed when built. They ordered the part and installed and it seems to have remedied the problem.

I wonder if this experience is unique. My old Forester and current ones (I'm told) were made in Japan whereas the Outback is built in USA. Is that part of the problem. I loved my Forester, and aside from the horrible touch screen display dashboard (a huge distraction hazard), really want to appreciate the Outback, but this really dents the Subaru ownership experience.

 

Yep they pop out of my car too. I have stuck black zip ties in. I do have kit from Amazon with difrent sizes. They popped out too. But I am on dirt, mud roads most of the time.

 

Thanks for your input. Service shop at my dealer tells me they have "never" seen this happen before, but having observed two "Karen" episodes while waiting as the services advisers bald fadedly lied to two diff. customers on simple matters, I fear there is a substantial credibility problem. To say nothing of the quality control problem that seems evident.

the zip tie idea is genius. I will have to try that as a back up plan.

 

I realize that this is an old thread, but does anyone have a good source for a good quality fastener kit that can be used on a '23 OB? The ones on Amazon seem to be of dubious quality...

 

...The ones on Amazon seem to be of dubious quality...

I bought a set off of Amazon and they work great - no issues what so ever. You could also head to Harbor Freight to pick up a set & you would be just fine.

If you only needed one - head to any auto shop & they can set you up ... I'm sure they have tons lying around & would be more than happy to sell you what you need.

 

Thanks Joe! Would you happen to have a link to the Amazon kit you got? There are so many, and I wanted a good quality one.
Roger

 

This would be almost exactly what I bought:

https://tinyurl.com/2xcu93mw

 

Thank you Sir, it's greatly appreciated!

Roger

 

Dude, these clips have been the bane of my existence with my 2022 Outback Touring. As noted elsewhere, I've had a lot of contact with the dealer getting these reinstalled and replaced as they fall out and leave underbody plastic panels dangling and scraping on asphalt. I've photographed the pieces I find under my car and the service manager advised that they were filling a report to the factory after finding a large number of this pins/clips missing or the wrong sized ones. You are under warranty so it should be no cost to have them re-installed and the shoddy manufacturing documented.